Events

We have loads of great wildlife events for adults, kids and families in Somerset. Hopefully the list below will give you lots of ideas for things to do, and give you more information about the interesting and fun activities you can take part in. Take a look at what's on below.

Trouble finding your way?

Because some of our events and things to do are held in the wilds of Somerset they include a grid reference as a meeting point - post codes are too imprecise. To see the location for the activity on a map go to Street Map and type in the grid reference (e.g. ST456437 no spaces.) If you zoom out you will first see the OS Explorer and Landranger maps which have more detail and then larger scale maps. Go to Street Map now.

Thursday 22 February

Join Somerset Wildlife Trust for a stroll around the River Tone looking out for the wildlife that lives there. The walk will take around half an hour and will cover just over 1km. This will be a gentle walk with regular stops along the way. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear.

Friday 23 February

John Walters ecologist, wildlife illustrator and film-maker will present an exploration of the wonderful variety of wildlife in Devon. The south coast's tompot blennies, pipefish and squat lobsters of the rockpools. Amazing display of the male rufous grasshopper and snail shell nesting bees on the undercliff. Dippers, goosanders and mandarin ducks in the river valleys. Heaths and moors include potter wasps moulding nests from mud, the world's largest slug with its bizarre mating habits. Cuckoos duping meadow pipits to raise their young.

Saturday 24 February

We’re looking for volunteers to help us manage the old SWT reserve at Asham Wood, Mendip’s largest and most biodiverse ancient semi-natural woodland. Training in coppicing work will be provided by a local coppicer and you can brush up your skills in this ancient technique.

This event is now fully booked - sorry for any inconvenience. It may seem a long way off but Spring will soon be on the minds of our urban and garden birds and it won’t be long before they start looking for nests in which to lay their eggs. So, at our next meeting, we will be helping them in their mission by building bird boxes that you can take home to put up in your garden. We will also be going on a walk around Longrun Meadow, looking for some of the different birds that make Taunton their home and maybe some other bird themed activities.

Sunday 25 February

It’s a lovely time of year to wrap up warm and get out for a walk in the countryside, but do you find it frustrating that all the trees and shrubs that you find easily recognisable in the summer are now mystifying? Come along to Somerset Environmental Records Centre's (SERC) Winter Tree Identification day and they will solve this mystery with you!

Sunday 4 March

Join us for a day learning why ponds are important, and how making new ones has an almost immediate effect on local biodiversity. John Dickson, (Somerset Reptile and Amphibian Group) will discuss basic pond ecology, construction, planting, management techniques, site selection and some brief guidance on planning and legal considerations. We'll also visit two pond creations in the afternoon.